Multiresolution Index of Valley Bottom Flatness (MRVBF)

Background
This module identifies valley bottoms from digital elevation models. There is a corresponding
routine within the module to identify ridge tops. The full reference for the publication is:

Gallant, J.C., Dowling, T.I. 2003. A multiresolution index of valley bottom flatness for mapping
depositional areas. Water Resources Research, 39(12), 1347.

The model uses slope and elevation to classify valley bottoms as flat, low areas. This is
accomplished through a series of neighborhood operations at progressively coarser resolutions
with the goal of identifying both small and large valleys.

Available under the Terrain Analysis Morphometry Module in SAGA




MRVBF GUI
Parameters of the model:
1) Initial threshold for slope
2) Threshold for elevation percentile (Lowness)
3) Threshold for elevation percentile (Upness)
4) Shape parameter for slope
5) Shape parameter for elevation




Initial Threshold for slope

The MRVBF algorithm was developed using 25 m resolution DEMs but can be applied at any
resolution provided appropriate adjustments are made. The link between size and flatness of
valley bottoms is incorporated into the algorithm by reducing the slope threshold by a factor of
2 at each step, and it is assumed that the relationship between slope threshold, resolution, and
MRVBF value does not vary between landscapes or with different resolution DEMs. If the DEM
resolution is substantially different from 25 m, the initial slope threshold must be adjusted to
retain the relationship between slope and resolution. An initial resolution of 75 m, one
resolution step larger than the base 25m resolution, would use a slope threshold of 8% instead
of 16% for the first step, while an initial resolution of 8 m, one step smaller than the base,
would use a slope threshold of 32% for the first step. Gallant and Dowling, 2003






Use the relationship above to select a starting slope threshold based on the resolution of your
DEM.


In this example, the default slope threshold of 16 was chosen:



The brown colors are valley bottoms, and would be considered grossly over mapped. The
sample area is in the Midwest, has 43 meters of local relief, and a maximum slope of about 20
percent.

y = 116.57x
-0.62

R = 0.9999
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
S
l
o
p
e

t
h
r
e
s
h
o
l
d

DEM resolution


A value of 10 for the slope threshold is more realistic, and also identifies some of the narrow
tributaries.


Threshold for Elevation Percentile (Lowness) and (Upness)
The lower the value the more conservative the classification for the respective Valley or Ridge
Top. The following examples demonstrate the changes for Valley Bottoms:



Default Elevation Percentile (Lowness) = 0.4

Elevation Percentile (Lowness) = 0.3
Notice some of the smaller valleys pinching off, or narrowing.


Elevation Percentile (Lowness) = 0.2
Notice most of the smaller valleys pinching off and narrowing.



Shape parameter function
This controls the transition from valley to upland, with lower values being gradual and higher
values being abrupt. Based on experience, the default values of 4 and 3 are fine. The following
screen shots are examples for your information.


Default setting for shape parameter
Slope threshold = 10%
Threshold for elevation percentile (Lowness) = 0.3
Threshold for elevation percentile (Upness) = 0.5
Shape parameter for slope = 4
Shape parameter for elevation = 3


Increasing shape parameter subtle, but results in more abrupt transition from valleys (brown) to
non-valley (blue)
Slope threshold = 10%
Threshold for elevation percentile (Lowness) = 0.3
Threshold for elevation percentile (Upness) = 0.5
Shape parameter for slope = 5
Shape parameter for elevation = 4


Decreasing shape parameters results in more gradual transition from valleys (brown) to non-valley
(blue)
Slope threshold = 10%
Threshold for elevation percentile (Lowness) = 0.3
Threshold for elevation percentile (Upness) = 0.5
Shape parameter for slope = 2
Shape parameter for elevation = 1